To order sample collection kits via phone, call NPHEL Customer Service at (402) 471-3935. Customer service hours are 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of holidays. (See the holiday schedule).

The following information is needed: Name, address, phone number, your system's NE31 or NE32 account number (if applicable), type of test kit(s) requested, and quantity of each kit(s).

All Public Water System client accounts are set up or changed by DHHS Public Health, Office of Drinking Water & Environmental Health. For changes in status, address, or water operator call (402) 471-2713.

If you need help in selecting the appropriate test for a particular water problem, Private clients and Public Water System clients should call the DHHS Public Health, Office of Drinking Water & Environmental Health at (402) 471-6435 for assistance or email: lab@nebraska.gov .

The Laboratory is continuously striving to provide the most efficient, friendly and cost effective service to customers statewide. To best serve all of the realtors of the state we wish to provide the realty community information that will help us better meet your needs in a timely fashion. Please allow at least a week and preferably two weeks to process your samples and report the results to you. Planning ahead will reduce both your frustration and possible client disappointment at closing time.

Order sample collection kits as soon as possible to prevent a delay in receiving needed supplies. Order online by using the Private Clients or Companies link above.

Or order sample collection kits by calling (402) 471-3935 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. When ordering your testing kit you must provide the following information:

Name, address and daytime phone number of person or business to receive sample kit.

Name, address and daytime phone number of person or business to receive bill.

Test type.

Quantity.

**It is important to provide the correct information when ordering your sample kit(s). If the testing fee is included in the closing costs, the caller should provide billing information for the appropriate bank, lending office, or realty office. If the testing fee will not be included in the closing costs, the caller should provide billing information for the buyer or seller whichever is appropriate. Whomever is specified by the caller, will receive the invoice and will be responsible for paying the testing fee.

Important things to remember when ordering water tests on home loans:

Total Coliform samples must be received and tested within 30 hours of collection.

Nitrite samples must be received and tested within 48 hours of collection.

The laboratory must acidify lead samples when they are received. The samples must then sit for at least 16 hours before they can be scheduled into the workload.

Please allow up to two weeks time to receive a test result after submitting a sample especially when lead results are requested.

Do not request rush results (less than one week) without first talking to customer service or a laboratory manager. Due to instrument maintenance, testing schedules and prior promised project deadlines rush sample requests might not be able to be completed when requested. So please plan ahead to avoid a delay. If circumstances do arise and a rush sample is needed, please call the laboratory customer service at 402-471-3935 prior to mailing or dropping off a sample. This will allow the staff to inform the analyst when samples will be arriving so they can best meet your needs.

Indicate on the sample request form that the sample is for a home loan. If there is a closing date include that so the laboratory staff can do their best to meet that closing date.

Provide a name and phone number on the sample request form of someone who can be contacted if a problem arises with the sample that will pose problems with expected completion.

Invoices are now being mailed weekly and are due 30 days from the invoice date. The invoices will list the type of analysis, sample number, collection date, sampling location and sample collector. This information is obtained from the submission forms that accompany the sample kits and can be used as a tool to match invoices to result forms. Please submit the remittance copy of each invoice with all payments to ensure proper account crediting. Statements are issued on a monthly basis to any customers who have past due invoices. For accounts receivable questions, call 402-471-8441.

Our laboratory is not able to perform every possible environmental test. Those tests that are of low volume are contracted out. Each contract laboratory is EPA or NELAC approved and works closely with us to ensure accuracy of each result.

We will make every effort to meet holding times of samples delivered to the laboratory. The laboratory can not be held responsible for delays out of our control, such as improper sample collection, delivery delays, or equipment breakdown. We request that samples with holding times less than 48 hours (except coliforms) be prearranged with Customer Service in advance. If you need a sample result by a particular date contact the Lab Operations Manager or Finance & QA Manager in advance to arrange special handling, note the information on the request form and include a phone number for future reference. If you have prearranged a short holding time sample and decide not to collect the sample, please cancel the order with the laboratory. A list of holding times for each method can be found in the Analyte/Price List.

We will make every effort to complete each test within the turnaround time stated in the Analyte/Price List. Turnaround times do not include weekends or holidays. If a sample is required within a particular timeframe, please contact the Finance & QA Manager at (402) 471-2122 to see if the laboratory can meet your needs.

Results are processed by Customer Service only after the testing data has been reviewed by two analysts. Results are mailed to the client once both reviews are completed and the report has been reviewed for completeness and accuracy by management. Private account results are not released over the phone.

Please allow sufficient time for the testing and the review process before inquiring about your results. (See the Analyte/Price List for normal turn around time for each test method). Call Customer Service at (402) 471-8449 to check the status of your results. Results are only released to the clients on the sample request form. When you call for a result, please have your NE31 or NE32 account number (if you are a Public Water System or School), client name, and lab number (the P# from your barcode label) available to help us track your sample; or for sample results for Public Water Supply Systems, access the Nebraska Health and Human Services Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Follow directions to navigate to your public water system and sample results.

Reading and Interpreting Your Results

Examples of our laboratory analytical reports (Chemistry Report) or (Bacti Report) can be found along with information on how to read and interpret your report.

Retention of Records & Report Retrieval

Reprints of final reports less than one year old can be mailed to you within 24 hours of request. Reports more than one year old may require up to several weeks to be retrieved from the state's records management system.

Some samples are disposed of once the sample has been tested. Due to the nature of those samples, they can not be retested. Other samples are stored for up to one month after their report date. Please contact the laboratory, as soon as possible, if you wish a sample to be retested or stored for a longer period of time. We would be happy to retest those samples, however if the repeat result confirms the first result, the client will be charged for the second test.